Entries from March 2014 ↓

News Bite: Last Day of Magnum Gold Promo in All SM Supermarket

It’s the last day of the month – March 31, 2014! But before the month ends, we’d like to remind you guys of SM Supermarket‘s “2 for Php 100Magnum Gold promo in all SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore Market nationwide!

Magnum Gold 2 for Php 100 Promo in all SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, & Savemore Market

Magnum Gold 2 for Php 100 Promo in all SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, & Savemore Market

It’s been almost two months now since the launch of Magnum’s newest flavor in the Philippines – Magnum Gold.

It was launched last February 9 in different parts of the country. At the same time, they were revealed in select SM Supermarket branches. It was also about the same time whene the “2 for P100” promotion was launched.

As much as some good things come to an end, you still have until today – March 31 – to catch the Magnum Gold fever of 2 for P100 in all SM Supermarket, SM Hypermarket, and Savemore Market.

Anticipating Magnum Manila

I recently attended the media launch of the newly opened Todd English Food Hall Manila at the 5th floor of SM Aura and guess what I saw nearby? A Magnum Manila  shop! Continue reading →

Todd English Food Hall Manila Opens Today!

Todd English Food Hall Manila

Todd English Food Hall Manila

Todd English Food Hall, a 900-square-meter specialty culinary hall that offers a mix of fresh and prepared international gourmet food, opens in Manila today. Continue reading →

Contest: Meet Apl.De.Ap & Give Education a Push w/ Red Ribbon’s Macaroons for a Cause

Macaroons For A Cause

Macaroons For A Cause

The Red Ribbon Macaroons for a Cause is a joint project of Red Ribbon, the Apl.de.Ap Foundation, and Franklin Baker. It has been launched last year as a good news with the aim to increase access of the Filipino youth to education by providing public high school facilities, starting in Zamboanga. Continue reading →

Watami Shangri-La Plaza Opens

Watami Shangri-La Mall

Watami Shangri-La Mall

Watami, a Japanese Casual Restaurant, recently opened their 3rd branch in the Philippines at Shangri-La Plaza Mall in Ortigas. They serve a wide variety of authentic Japanese dishes infused with special sauces and spices that ranges from appetizers, sushi, skewers, hot pots, various meat and seafood dishes.

Watami Short Ribs

Watami Short Ribs

Watami also have a good costumer service, staff who are happy to help out, and cheerfully welcome you upon entry. As NomNom Club’s contributor, it’s my first time at Watami. It enriched my appreciation of what Japanese food is all about.

Japan has invaded our tummies with mouth-watering dishes and beverages. A modern but homey place and delicious food.

What I found interesting was the Watami Ramen. Its pork was tender and nicely blend with spices which makes it one of my favorite being tasty and satisfying.

If you’re a rice person, then you must try Special Curry with Deep Fried PorkTenderloin Cutlet Rice Set. The Tempura Rice Set is also a must try.

Watami Ramen

Watami Ramen

Watami-Shangri-La-Mall

Watami in Shangri-La Plaza Mall

Special Curry with Deep Fried PorkTenderloin Cutlet Rice Set

Special Curry with Deep Fried PorkTenderloin Cutlet Rice Set

Passion Frut with Mango Tea and Kiwi Tea with Agar

Passion Frut with Mango Tea and Kiwi Tea with Agar

Short Ribs after Grilling

Short Ribs after Grilling

Moreover, I enjoyed the food without the hassle of smoke while having the fun to choose and pair food choices. Try theur refreshing glass of Passion Frut with Mango Tea and Kiwi Tea with Agar as well.

*Photos and article by contributor Tina Qunies

Watami prices are at par with its value for taste. Drop by and visit their 3rd and newest branch at 6th level, East Wing of Shangri-La Plaza. You can also visit Watami in Glorietta 2 and SM Mall of Asia. Visit their Facebook page here.

Starbucks Team Caramel Macchiato Wins!

Starbucks Philippines recently organized an online poll asking espresso lovers which of their two macchiato creations they like best – is it Hazelnut Macchiato or Caramel Macchiato?

Caramel Macchiato vs Hazelnut Macchiato

Caramel Macchiato vs Hazelnut Macchiato

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato

Starbucks Caramel Macchiato

Team Hazelnut vs Team Caramel

Starbucks’ Hazelnut Macchiato is the new kid in town made with freshly steamed milk, marked with espresso, and of course, hazelnut syrup. It is then finished with hazelnut drizzle. A short order costs P135 while the tall, grande, and venti costs P145, P160, and P170, respectively.

Team Hazelnut Macchiato

Team Hazelnut Macchiato from the newly opened Fairview Terraces Mall branch in Novaliches

On the other hand, all-time favorite Starbucks Caramel Macchiato is similarly made with freshly steamed milk, but this time with a sweet vanilla-flavored syrup. The rich flavors of roasted espresso is finished with caramel sauce. (Short – P135, Tall – P145, Grande- P160, Venti – P170)

The Results

And the people have decided! Over the online poll through Starbucks Facebook Page which lasted until March 13, Team Caramel won with 9,772 votes garnering about 59% of the votes. Team Hazelnut got 6,898 votes or about 41% of the votes.

Team Caramel Macchiato Wins!

Team Caramel Macchiato Wins! (Photo from Starbucks Philippines Facebook Page); Photo on top of this article is from Starbucks Trinoma branch 2F

Hurray! My vote was for Caramel Macchiato as well! 😛

Cold Hazelnut Macchiato from Starbucks Shangri-La Mall

Cold Hazelnut Macchiato from Starbucks Shangri-La Mall branch

As a result, Team Caramel Macchiato celebrated its victory with a Buy One, Get One Caramel Macchiato promo yesterday – #MacchiatoMonday, March 17.

Sans the results, on which Starbucks Team are on? Hazelnut Macchiato or Caramel Macchiato?

New Favorite: Chacho’s Tortilla Chips

Cheesy Cheese

Cheesy Cheese

Me and my wife are a little picky when it comes to chips. There’s just so many brands in the market that sometimes it can overwhelm you.

Just go to the supermarket and check out the snacks section and you’ve got lines of shelves stacked with bags of chips.

We’re picky in a way that we check what we eat. SImilar to other foods, we check the back of the snack bag for information on its contents. Although, we’re no where near the skills of a nutritionist, knowing what’s inside what you eat helps.

Back Labels

Back Labels

And we’re glad there’s Chacho’s. In contrast to usual corn-based chips, Chacho’s tortilla chips is actually flour-based, which is better. It’s also  new to us since we haven’t tried them before. I’m just not too sure if it’s new in the Philippines as well. Anyhow, so we decided to give it a try.

Chacho’s Variants

Chacho’s come in three flavors — the Cheesy Cheese, BBQ Bonanza, and Spicy Curry. Wifey and I couldn’t settle which one to try first so we considered all three variants.

Chacho's Flavors

Chacho’s Flavors

They also come in 80g and 185g packs. The smaller one is about P35-40+, not bad for an imported chips such as Chacho’s.

At home, we first tried my top choice – BBQ Bonanza and it did not disappoint. It’s thin, light, and crunchy-crisp, just like how tortilla chips should be.

My cheese-lover wife got her Cheesy Cheese next. Both of us are not a fan of anything spicy, so the Spicy Curry was the last to get opened. 🙂

I’m actually torn between the BBQ Bonanaza and Cheesy Cheese. I like them both. Wifey obviously went for the latter. :p

Enjoy More with Dips

Consider however, getting some dips to enhance the flavors like salsa and even more cheese. At that time, we didn’t have them at home so we settled for the good ‘ol mayonnaise.

The dips can make snack time more fun and flavorful specially if you have kids.

Chacho's with Dips

Chacho’s with Dips

Chacho's Chips!

Chacho’s Chips!

You can try strawberry jams and peanut butter too!

I was then reminded of the memory of my Chili’s  Nachos / Tostada Chips experience in SM Megamall a few months ago. 🙂

So if you’re looking for a new snack or chips to feast on, try the new Chacho’s from your favorite supermarkets in Metro Manila. Hopefully they are available in SM Supermarkets too, if not yet.

Think About Your Drink

It’s the start of the weekend once again! Aside from the proverbial cheers of getting a time-off from work, this is also the time we dine out with friends or simply spend time with the family at home for a hearty meal. Continue reading →